The R&B/gospel singer, who was nicknamed "The Velvet Teddy Bear" during his winning run on American Idol in 2003, has struggled with his weight over the years and has attempted a variety of diet plans.

His weight most recently mounted after divorcing his wife of four years in 2012.

Studdard has released five studio albums since winning American Idol, the most popular of which, his debut album Soulful, topped U.S. charts and went platinum.